Ashley Bell: A Novel by Dean Koontz | Summary & Analysis

by Book*Sense

Ashley A Novel by Dean Koontz | Summary & Analysis

The latest novel by perennial bestselling author Dean Koontz, is an expansive tale that weaves back and forth across times and worlds as it interrogates the nature of reality. Grounding itself amid the quotidian, it partakes of the paranormal and the fantastic to present a compelling, gripping story well worth the lengthy read. offers readers something Koontz often a seemingly realistic novel that soon reveals itself as partaking, often greatly, of the paranormal and supernatural. Some readers may be dissuaded by the perceived intrusion of the fantastic into a piece of contemporary mainstream fiction, but those who are familiar with Koontz will more likely be pleased by the reading than dissuaded by it.

Koontz’s novel depicts the events that follow Bibi Blair’s diagnosis with a rare and essentially non-treatable form of brain cancer. In the wake of the revelation, Bibi finds herself compelled to seek out and save the eponymous Ashley Bell, who is in the grips of a darkly occult organization. Her efforts are ultimately revealed to take place in a Tolkienian sub-creation that is able to interact with the primary world of the novel, creating a layered narrative that becomes all the more compelling for its intricacies.

This companion includes the
• Book Review
• Story Setting Analysis
• Enjoy a Deeper Experience
• Story elements you may have missed as we decipher the novel
• Summary of the text, with some analytical comments interspersed
• Thought Provoking /or Discussion Questions for both Readers & Book Clubs
• Discussion & Analysis of Themes, Symbols…
• And Much More!

This Analysis fills the gap, making you understand more while enhancing your reading experience.

162 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 16, 2015

Reviews

[Nadia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very confusing book to read. The ending sucked big time. We don’t even know what happened to Ashley Bell. Was she a main character from a book apparently Bibi read and then tried to personalize and impersonate herself into the character from the book. I liked the suspense, but very complicated read to me. It messed up my critical thinking.

[Deb Stangl Swedenburg]

I borrowed this book from the library toward the end of February. On April 4, I returned it to the library after renewing it twice, not having finished it. I had read several good reviews about this book and I hadn't read anything by Dean Koontz in a while, so I decided to read it. I COULD NOT FINISH THIS BOOK! I thought it was very slow-moving (which isn't always bad), and maybe I just wasn't in the mood for this type of book, but it just did not hold my interest. I rarely give up on a book, but I did on this one (after 260 pages)! Maybe I will try again sometime -- or maybe not!

[Amanda Bayliss · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started well but became too long winded - could have been half this long in my opinion. A good twist in the middle though which kept you reading...but the end was a bit of a flop!

[Christine Towgood]

Great read